A Denver credit union, Partner Colorado, is closing its branch due to safety concerns stemming from a nearby homeless shelter. The shelter has seen a high number of police calls and even two deaths this month. Businesses near the shelter, including a liquor store, have also reported increased security needs.
The credit union says the safety of its employees and members is the top priority. While they haven’t documented the number of incidents themselves, they say there have been “a number of incidents at and around” the branch that have raised concerns.
Denver Mayor’s office says safety is a priority and they are working on improvements at the shelter, including security upgrades and private security on-site. However, the credit union did not reach out to the city before making the closure decision.